If you happened to catch the new “Knight Rider” on NBC, the new K.I.T.T., played by a Shelby Mustang, uses nanotechnology to change the color of the car and repair damage caused by bullets. While this kind of fictional tech may be years away from reality, some nanotech is being used today that may make wiper blades on your car a thing of the past.

A new concept car, designed by Italian car designer Leonardo Fioravanti, features an aerodynamic design and a high-tech windshield to brush away dirt and water without the use of wiper blades. The Hidra car, as it is called, uses a winshield of four layers starting with the first that is a sun filter and repels water. The second layer uses special nano-dust, which is able to move any dirt and grime to the edges of the windshield. The third layer serves as the dirt sensor, which turns on the nano-dust layer when needed. The fourth and last layer serves as the electrical conductor to power the windshield.

While the wiperless windshield works only in concept car form for now, the nanotech windshields could be put into production in just 5 years, according to Fioravanti. Could this be the end of wipers as we know them? Maybe. You can bet, though, that replacing that damaged windshield from that rock ding on the highway would get a lot more expensive.

Reader Comments

I’d be happy with a windshield that just defrosts properly and quickly.

I could see this technology being useful for headlights or a rear window.

wjciv

Can they combine this with transparent aluminum? That is the advancement I really want to see next in cars- both for durability and weight.

hodar

I think CraziestGadgetscom has the right idea.

When I’m driving 75mph and I get a covering of slush – I can’t wait for the nanotechnology to kick in. I need that slush gone ASAP. A wiper gives me near total vision in under 5 seconds – which is still dangerously long.

However, keeping my headlights, brake lights and turn signals clean is far more practical. First, they can be dirty for more than 10 seconds at at time – all they have to do is permit SOME light to escape. Compared to the windshield which requires 90% or better transparency. A little oil and dirt on the windshield is a big deal; but not so much on a headlight or indicator light.

GodTM

Maybe they can incorporate this into home windows… less chance of chips/breaking, and you’ll never have to wash your windows again :)

GodTM

Also, add to that an sunlight sensor, so that if it gets too bright outside, you can adjust the amount of light coming through it, and you have variable-tint windows… There’s already power supplied to the window… it just needs an ‘LCD type’ layer in there somewhere for the tint…